Key case



Feb. 22, 1949. v A. w. MAGEE 2,462,206

KEY CASE' Filed Nov. 3, 1945 1 i y 2 8 lfi I Inventor 8 v 7A1anhWMz57ee Attorneys Patented Feb. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY CASE Alan W. Magee, Ellwood City, Pa. Application November 3, 1945, Serial No. "6265528 2 Claims. i

invention relates to an improved pocketsiz'ed k'ey case such as is now popularly and commonly employed for conveniently holding important and frequently used keys. The invention has more particular reference to the type or style of key case which is used by drivers of automobiles and the like, particularly the simple twokey envelopeform which adequately functions to accommodate the ignition and trunk keys.

Needless to say, I am aware that countless different styles and types of leather, plastic, and equivalent cases are in use for safe and convenien't retention of automobile and other keys. Some are quite elaborate and include clips, special detents and many other accessories and features, and being, because of these factors, quite complicated. The present invention is intended to provide the user with a simple, practicable and expedient key case for the ignition and trunk keys, said case being such as to iaci'litate maintaining the keys in either projected 'or retracted positions, and also providing an ingenius article which can be conveniently carried inrones pocket, a womans purse 'or the like.

It is evident from the foregoing that in carrying out my aims I have in mind the provision of a practicable and expedient key case which while, in terms of generalities, is similar to forms now in use and on the market is nevertheless possessed of appreciably diflerent refinements and distinctions which, it is believed, afford the most desirable facilities in an article of this type.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key case constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention showing one of the keys projected and in readiness for use.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the construction and details.

Figure 3 is a front end elevation observing the open side through and beyond which the keys, when in use, project.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembling rivet and associated key adapting and retaining accessory.

In carrying out the principles of the invention, I contemplate the provision, broadly speaking, of a rectangular sheath 5, this being of simple construction and open along one longitudinal side and on one transverse end to accommodate the customary ignition 'and trunk keys, one of said keys being shown at -6 in Figure '1. The sheath may be of transparent 'or non-transparentmaterial but in general practice it is constructed "of leather or equivalent composition material. In thedrawings Lhaveshown one which is or flexible leather and it is fashioned from asingle -sheetor patch of leather which is folded into halves on the 'foldline :l to provide enclosing sides 8 and 9 forming the sheath proper. The'free ends, which we may call the outer ends, are "brought together in abutting' con-tact and then folded in *anddown on the foldlines In, said ends H being thus tucked in between the sides 8 and-9. There is also a fold t2 which holds the ends l-l together thus tucked in and so positioned in relation to said ends as to form what may be conveniently referred to as a double :ply tab. This tab serves to accommodate the keys. That is to "say, the tab is integral with one end of the case and positioned centrally between the walls 8 and '9, said walls being open at the opposite end and also open along one longitudinal side to make pro'vi sion for projecting and retracting the keys. The tab is pierced 'by an assembling rivet I 3. The keys 6 are situated suspended and'hinged'on the rivet and thus take positions on opposite sides of the tab as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. The headed ends of the rivet also serve to assemble and hold in place the so-called adapter accessory or clip M. This is brought out in Figure 4 and is fashioned from a single length of wire which is bent between its ends to form a V-shaped bight portion Hi. The limbs [B are in effect friction detents and they frictionally grip the opposite shank portions of the keys as brought out in Figure 2. The free ends of the limbs are bent upon themselves to function as hinging and hanger eyes l1, these eyes being mounted on the headed ends of the rivet l3, as shown. The bends l8 and I9 actually define the eyes and the free terminals 20 are flared out so as to permit the clip M, as a unit, to be snapped into place or removed, as conditions may require. It will thus be seen that I take a single rectangular piece of leather, folded as at l to define an open ended and open sided sheath. One end of the latter is folded, being a continuation of the fold 1 and indicated at l2, and then the free ends II are tucked in between the parts or sides 8 and 9. This provides a convenient tab and the tab serves to accommodate a rivet and the rivet serves to accommodate the keys as well as the clip or retaining adapter [4. The keys stabilize the tab and the rivet holds the keys in place, and the rivet also holds the clip I4 in place, the limb portions thereof embracing the keys proper, as shown in Figure 2. Thus, all the parts contribute their proportionate shares in producing a simple, inexpensive, and feasible key case.

Although quite simple the holder or case is not thought to be too scant inasmuch as it amply sheathes and envelopes the keys.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

, Iclaim:

1. A key case of the class described, comprising a key containing and jacketing sheath comprising a single piece of pliable sheet'material of general rectangular form folded upon itself longitudinally intermediate its ends to define opposed side walls, corresponding end-portions of said side walls being folded and then tucked inwardly into opposing contact between said side walls and forming a. double-ply tab, a key hinging and retaining rivet piercing the tab, the rivet having headed ends and said headed ends terminating at points wholly within the confines of the sheath, standard-type apertured keys having their apertured ends fitting against opposite faces of the tab, the apertured ends being mounted on the headed ends of said rivet, a spring metal key embracing and clamping clip comprising a V-shaped bight portion providing a crotch for reception of coacting portions of the keys, and further including spaced parallel limbs, said limbs terminating at their free ends in split eyes, said eyes being releasably fastened on the headed endportions of said rivet whereby said clip serves to assemble and hold the keys in place, and also serves to resiliently clamp the keys in both retracted and projected positions.

2. A key case of the class described comprising a key containing and jacketing sheath embodying a single piece of pliable sheet material of general rectangular form folded upon itself 1ongitudinally to define a pair of opposed side walls. corresponding transverse end portions of said side walls being folded and then tucked inwardly into opposed contact with each other and defining a double ply tab, said tab being located between the side walls and in spaced relation to the side walls, a key hinging and retaining rivet extending through said tab, the end portions of said rivet having heads and said heads projecting slightly beyond adjacent portions of the tab and terminating within the confines of the side walls of the sheath, standard-type apertured keys having their apertured ends fitting against opposite surfaces of the tab, the apertured ends being mounted on the headed ends of said rivet, and a spring metal key embracing and clamping clip embodying spaced parallel limbs terminating at corresponding ends in eyes, said eyes being releasably fastened to the headed ends of the rivet and being in contact with adjacent keys and serving to hold the keys assembled on adjacent ends of the rivet and in friction bound contact with adjacent surfaces of said tab, said limbs being resilient to provide the desired retentive clamping action so that the keys are held put within the confines of the sheath, and means connecting the opposite end portions of said limbs together.

ALAN W. MAGEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,110,760 Easton Sept. 15, 1914 1,641,110 Wulfing Aug. 30, 1927 1,793,594 Dodson Feb. 24, 1931 2,198,109 Fischer Apr. 23, 1940 

